The job market is more competitive than ever, and your resume needs to stand out while being easy to read—both by recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS). The traditional resume format has evolved, and today’s job seekers need a modern, optimized approach.

Here’s exactly what your resume should look like in 2025 to increase your chances of landing interviews.

1. Keep It Concise and Well-Structured

Hiring managers and recruiters scan resumes quickly, so clarity and organization are key. Your resume should:

  • Be one page (or two pages if you have extensive experience).
  • Have clearly defined sections with bold headings.
  • Use a clean, professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (10-12 pt size).
  • Avoid excessive design elements that may confuse ATS scanners.

A simple, structured resume increases readability and ensures ATS systems can process it correctly.

2. Start with a Strong Professional Summary

Your professional summary should be a compelling elevator pitch at the top of your resume.

Instead of using an objective statement (“Looking for a job in marketing”), focus on showcasing your skills and achievements.

Example:

"Results-driven digital marketing specialist with five years of experience optimizing campaigns that increased conversion rates by 40%. Skilled in SEO, PPC, and content strategy, with a track record of driving brand growth and engagement."

This immediately tells recruiters what you bring to the table.

3. Use a Skills-Based Approach

Today’s job market values hard and soft skills, so your resume should highlight them clearly.

Technical and Industry-Specific Skills

Recruiters often search for specific skills when filtering resumes. Include a section titled “Key Skills” with relevant terms from the job description.

Example for a Data Analyst Role:

  • SQL, Python, Excel, Tableau
  • Machine Learning, Data Visualization
  • A/B Testing, Statistical Analysis

Example for a Marketing Role:

  • SEO, Google Analytics, PPC Advertising
  • Content Marketing, Copywriting
  • Social Media Strategy, Email Campaigns

Soft Skills

These are equally important in today’s workplace. Instead of listing generic terms, tie them to specific outcomes.

Weak Example:

“Strong leadership and teamwork skills.”

Strong Example:

“Led a team of five in executing a marketing campaign that increased engagement by 120%.”

4. Focus on Achievements, Not Just Duties

Instead of listing job responsibilities, showcase your impact using numbers and metrics.

Weak Example:

“Managed social media accounts.”

Strong Example:

“Increased LinkedIn engagement by 150% through a targeted content strategy, resulting in a 30% rise in inbound leads.”

Hiring managers want to see how you contributed to business success—numbers help tell that story.

5. Make It ATS-Friendly

Most companies use ATS software to scan resumes before a human ever reads them. To ensure your resume passes ATS screening:

  • Use standard section headings: Work Experience, Education, Skills, etc.
  • Include keywords from the job description naturally.
  • Save it as a PDF or Word document (unless specified otherwise).
  • Avoid graphics, tables, and complex layouts—ATS may not read them correctly.

AI-powered resume tools, like AI Ekip Resume Builder, can analyze your resume’s ATS score and optimize it automatically.

6. Include Relevant Work Experience and Education

Your work experience should be listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job first.

Example:

Marketing Manager – XYZ Company (2021-Present)

  • Developed and executed a content marketing strategy that increased website traffic by 70%.
  • Managed a team of four content creators, delivering 15% higher engagement rates.
  • Spearheaded an SEO initiative that improved search rankings, driving a 25% increase in organic leads.

For education, list only relevant degrees and certifications. If you’re early in your career, include coursework or projects that demonstrate your skills.

Example:

Bachelor’s in Business Administration – University of California, 2020

Google Analytics Certified – 2023

7. Add a Section for Certifications and Continuous Learning

With the rise of online learning, recruiters value upskilling. Certifications can set you apart.

Example:

  • Certified Scrum Master (CSM) – Scrum Alliance
  • HubSpot Content Marketing Certification
  • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

Adding certifications relevant to your industry demonstrates that you’re staying ahead of trends.

Recruiters often check LinkedIn to verify your experience. Make sure your profile is updated and aligns with your resume.

Pro tip: Customize your LinkedIn URL (e.g., linkedin.com/in/yourname) for a professional look.

 

For roles in tech, design, writing, or marketing, having a portfolio or project section can strengthen your resume.

Example:

Personal Projects:

  • Built an AI chatbot that automates customer service inquiries (GitHub link).
  • Developed a personal finance blog with 50,000+ monthly visitors.

Portfolio Link:

If applicable, include a link to your GitHub, Behance, or personal website.

10. Proofread and Get Feedback Before Submitting

Typos and formatting errors can cost you an interview. Before submitting your resume:

  • Run it through Grammarly or a spell-check tool.
  • Have a mentor or colleague review it for clarity.
  • Read it out loud to catch awkward phrasing.

AI resume tools like AI Ekip can also analyze your resume for readability and suggest improvements.

Final Thoughts: Your Resume Should Work for You

A strong resume is concise, results-driven, and ATS-friendly. It should highlight your skills, achievements, and impact, making it easy for recruiters to see why you're the right candidate.

If you want a faster, more effective way to create and optimize your resume, try AI Ekip Resume Builder. It tailors your resume for each job, improves ATS scores, and even generates cover letters—helping you land interviews faster.

Start building a resume that stands out today.